The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1887-11-29
Vagrancy.

EDITOR GAZETTE: loud wall comes up
from every part of the Islands that laborers
cannot be obtained, except at exorbitant
wages, and even then the supply is short.
And another wall comes up that the Islands
are swarmng with vagrants-people who do
not work, or if they work, il is but small
part of the time, and at such wages that
they can keep soul and body together-if
they have a soQl-for time, without work
ing at all.
Now every one of these vagrants-and they
probably number from 5000 to 10000-has a
mouth TO fill, and it is filled somehow, but in
no case honestly, and it is at the expense of
the Islands that it is filled. 1t matters not
If friends are willing to support the vagrant ;
those friends have other duties to the coun-
try which they ought to perform. These
Migrants have bone and muscle, and are not
sick or disabled. They can do something's
there is plenty of work for them, and they
can be made to do it.
The good Apostle said: - If a man will not
work, neither shall he eat" and although
the saying is a homely one, have no doubt
he meant 1t.
Unless / mistake. we have vagraut laws on
our statute books; had not the Legislature
better look them up and ut them to the times,
and see if they will not have bearing on the
labor supply: thus modifying some of their
work. Many an idle vagrant will hire at low
must have some business of his own or work
for some one else. 1t should be known what
every mans means of living are; so much
the state has right to know. Fewer Migrants
would find their way to this country, which,
in their view. is paradise of loafers, if they
got an idea that they would be put to work
here. Fancy gang of l50 or 200 Migrants
they may easily De found almost anywhere
put 10 work under an officer; those IN want
of Ia hTr md Vr5t off of
ment; but few will remain i'll that gang
though the wages offered may be low. Such
an arrangement would have a bearing on
crime; especially on the using of opium.
That vagrancy Is a great and crying evil of
our country 1T the present time, no one can
dOuot; and 1t makes every financial problem,
already too hard, much more difficult. But,
1t Is asked, How is the thing proposed to be
done Ii Is a delicate business. So is taxing
men delicate business; prying into their
property affairs. But it would curtail liberty.
What kind of liberty, | ask 1t will bear
on some very respectable appearing people.
SO 1t will street corner loafers will find ii
" absurd !" and will tell you so to your face.
You cannot ix law that will not touch
some of that stripe. And in the search which
will he made possibly some of very retired
habits may be uuearthed and brought to the
light of day to the detriment of no one.
The vagrant class has not yet been mar
snalled here. So much more the need it be
done. that some men may find their belong
Ings. Of course common sense must be used
In the execution of such laws. When one is
doing his best to find employment, ample
time would be given him. Probably The
straightforward, business-like execution will
consider vagrant laws would set in motion
an exodus from the country of a very I'M
desirable portion Of orr population, and have
a healthful effect on another portion who
remain. REFORM.